BACKGROUND: Venous ulcers play an important role in patients' lives, as the incidence of deformities caused by this type of wound might produce adverse consequences, including psychosocial disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of depressive symptoms presented by patients with venous ulcers. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Outpatient Wound Clinic of the Hospital Set within the State of São Paulo. The data were collected by interviews between December 2008 and April 2009 after approval of the research project by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Paulo (CEP-1611/08). The Beck Depression Inventory was the instrument of the study. RESULTS: Sixty patients participated in the survey. The majority (91.66%) showed some level of depression. There was a higher frequency of symptoms ranging from mild to moderate (n = 39; 65%). All levels of depression showed statistical differences. The five symptoms most commonly found were sadness, distorted body image, self-depreciation, decreased libido, and social withdrawal. Symptoms less represented were suicidal ideation and loss of appetite, each mentioned by only one patient. Forty-three patients were over 61 years old. Of these, 38 (88.4%) had depressive symptoms ranging from mild to severe. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained and evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory allow the conclusion that patients with venous ulcers present different levels of depressive symptoms.
Depression; Self concept; Quality of life; Varicose ulcer
